Welcome to Litsy!

We spend too much time teaching girls to worry about what boys think of them. But the reverse is not the case. We don‘t teach boys to care about being likable. We spend too much time telling girls that they cannot be angry or aggressive or tough, which is bad enough, but then we turn around and either praise or excuse men for the same reasons.

I often make the mistake of thinking something that is obvious to me is obvious to everyone else

A sharp and clever essay based on her TED talk. It‘s an insightful look into the roles men and women play in societies ideas of gender roles and what it is to be a man or women. Absolutely loved it. #3/12 #yearofreading #sofarbehind #feminism

"I like to think that one of the many things that literature can do is that it gives us entry into subjects that might be difficult to talk about."

Widely known across Africa and the world for her talented writing skills, Chimamanda also has a unique sense of fashion. She embarked on a #wearNigeria movement some time ago and the results have been totally amazing!

#WanderingJune #AfricanLady

If you are already a feminist, it will fine tune your definitions if you aren‘t this book will make you one. Either listen to the ted talk or read this essay. It is crisp and filled with stories which will make you a feminist!!

Based on a speech, this essay presents a quick and convincing argument for feminism.

Read May 19

A great book to understand men and women‘s role in breaking down the gender roles placed in men and women in our society and working towards equality 🎉 9/2019 #socialjustice #feminism

This small book gives more in less.The author deals with major women's issues in a clear and non-combative manner. She holds up a clear mirror to her society. Then, she suggests a simple way to make the reflection less distorted. I loved that. The cis and hetero-normative language bothered me at first. But, then I accepted that she is not talking about intersectional feminism. Apart from that it is a good book. Very recommended.

This work trip is killing me and I haven't even left yet. But at least I get to break out my bookish, feminist accessory bag for the first time. #worktrip #readersgonnaread

Book #4 complete and laundry sorted for #24b4monday. This “book” (more like an essay) was excellent, but I wanted it to be longer/more. Just when I was really getting into it and looking forward to the next points (or more in-depth details), it ended. Was glad she narrated this one her self.

This should be required reading for being a human. I loved it!!

“What if, in raising children, we focus on ability instead of gender? What if we focus on interest instead of gender?”

“Gender matters everywhere in the world. And I would like today to ask that we should begin to dream about and plan for a different world. A fairer world. A world of happier men and happier women who are truer to themselves. And this is how to start: we must raise our daughters differently. We must also raise our sons differently.”

If you‘re already interested in feminism & gender theory, Adichie‘s “We Should All Be Feminists” probably won‘t strike you as revelatory or new. But she has a way of laying information & perspectives down in a very bare & simple way. It certainly doesn‘t hurt to read this as an introductory or refresher text. And if you were to ask someone else to read it, to try to imagine your experience, it‘s short enough that it‘d be a hard request to deny.

“The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we *should* be rather than recognizing how we are.”

Art Cred: Jack Dylan

“I was once taking about gender and a man said to me, “Why does it have to be you as a woman? Why not you as a human being?” This type of question is a way of silencing a person‘s specific experiences. Of course I am a human being, but there are particular things that happen to me because I am a woman.”

This is also true of the comment, “I don‘t see color” (which I often hear ostensibly well-meaning people saying). This lesson is so important.

“At some point, I was a Happy African Feminist Who Does Not Hate Men And Who Likes To Wear Lip Gloss And High Heels For Herself And Not For Men. Of course much of this was tongue-in-cheek, but what it shows is how that word “feminist” is so heavy with baggage, negative baggage...”

“Gender as it functions today is a grave injustice. I am angry. We should all be angry. Anger has a long history of bringing about positive change. But I am also hopeful, because I believe deeply in the ability of human beings to remake themselves for the better.”

This sounds like the right balance. I think anger & self-confidence/self-assuredness are close bedfellows, which is probably why it (unlike sadness) is a difficult emotion for me.👇🏻

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We Should All Be Feminist is a great introduction into the topic of feminism. Chimamanda talks about her experience of sexism growing up in Nigeria and how it has affected her life. This is a book everyone should read.
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Reading challenge:
- #booked2019 : Related to a podcast
- The year of reading womens writers: A narrative or an essay
- #LitsyAtoZ : Letter V @BookishMarginalia

#weshouldallbefeminist #chimamandangoziadichie #essay

I forgot my current read at home this morning. Fortunately, I work in a library. This one‘s short so it fits my needs, & I‘ve been meaning to read it for basically forever.

I‘m adding this book immediately to everyone‘s mandatory reading list. It‘s a 50-page essay, so I don‘t think I‘m being unreasonable.
Adichie isn‘t trying to fit everyone into a specific feminist stereotype. She‘s not saying men and women are the same and should be treated as such. Yes, we can be treated differently as women, but in no way should a woman be treated as LESS. A man is not greater than a woman just because he is a man.

Go right now and listen to this! WOW 😍

I actually listened to it twice today because it was short, yet she has so much to say and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything. Very poignant to today's society. She's such a powerful voice for women. 💚

This is such a beautiful book. A very short book which is a must read for everyone! Adichie has perfectly explained what feminism actually means and how inspite of it being a 21st century, women are still not treated as an equal to men. We all face what Adichie faced in life, whether people are aware of it or not, there are times when we are treated differently! Do read this amazing book!!! 4/5

⬆️what i have to say to the patriarchy: 🖕! My female colleagues and i went for a #feminist #strike lunch today and celebrated the sisterhood! #internationalwomensday #girlsonstrike #fightforyourrighttoparty #genderequality

For International Women‘s Day I thought I‘d share a stack of some of my favourite Feminist reads 😍

Have an awesome day everyone 😃

All over the world, there are so many magazine articles and #books telling women what to do, how to be and not to be, in order to attract or please men. There are far fewer guides for men about pleasing women. #QuotsyMar19 #31DaysOfNonFiction

This is a short, powerful essay about feminism and what it means today. It is a great introduction to feminism, which should be read by everyone, but especially those who do not understand the term. For feminists, it is a great reminder of what we stand for.

"My own definition is a feminist is a man or a woman who says, yes, there‘s a problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better. All of us, women and men, must do better."

Yes, we should. ✊🏼

Watching the TED Talk this text came from and it is sooo goood! This should be required reading for everyone.

Read this in 20 minutes flat and then ordered a copy for all of my year 11 girls who I know will absolutely love this. Brilliant.

Hoping to read this short essay before bed 👍

Also, my new bookmark came 🖕

This is just a small adaptation from the Ted talk by the writer. It doesn't have much details regarding feminism, rather it is just an introduction as to why feminism is needed or why everyone should be a feminist. I love how the book proceeds and how easy to read it is. Quick paced and witty, overall it's an enjoyable read. I would have liked a full flegded book more.
4/5🌟

Today's #bookhaul

I should have read this sooner. I wish everyone would read it.
#Booked2019 #RelatedtoaPodcast #W #LitsyAtoZ #nonfiction2019 #somethingthatsbeenonyourTBRforover1year #readingwomenchallenge #abookbyanauthorfromNigeria #LLB19 #featuredinaLittensphotochallengepost

Here is the link to the photo challenge post from @BarbaraTheBibliophage :
http://litsy.com/p/eFE2MHBaY2M4

I went looking in my 18 year old daughter‘s room for a YA novel to read because I wanted something quick. I was hoping for something cute and lighthearted. This is what I emerged with. I‘m not sure if the tagged book fits exactly what I was looking for, but it‘s a re-read for me & it‘s what stood out.

I didn‘t hate it but I didn‘t love it either. It was ok. For me, nothing new or particularly profound. I don‘t care for Ted Talks, so there‘s that.

Book 27/90 1/20/19

This should be required reading in schools. I'm saving this one for when my daughter gets older. Really good and thought-provoking

Short but powerful argument for why everyone should be for feminism and how it benefits men and women. Should be required reading in schools. Author has lovely narration in the audio as well. Could relate to many scenarios she presented that women face today. 5⭐

I want to gift this book to all of my people. It‘s such a good introduction to feminism and has so many quotable lines! Obviously a lot of what she had to say about parenting resonated with me. Thanks @BarbaraJean for recommending it for the #newyearwhodis event!

“Masculinity is a hard, small cage, and we put boys inside this cage.”

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My husband and son had a “guy day” and went to the library and out for lunch. They came home with 3 holds for me 😁
Two for #newyearwhodis with @BarbaraJean and one just because

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I consider myself a very “loud and proud” feminist, but the lack of gender intersectionality in this left me unimpressed. I learned after finishing the read that many people seem to believe Adichie is a TERF, which frankly wouldn‘t surprise me with the complete trans erasure in this novella. I‘m sad and disappointed. 💔

Do any of you have a book journal? I'm trying to start one and make it one of my bookish resolutions for 2019. My Secret Santa at work got me a cute notebook and some nice pens! I'm planning to journal about books I am currently reading, as well as keep track of different book challenges and how many books I read in different formats. What do you all write in your book journals? I'd love some tips and ideas!

I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written and left me with a lot to think about. I love when books are emotionally fulling and leave me a changed person. 5 stars!!

This short essay was perfect for what it was. I thought she made her point succinctly and very successfully. I wish she had expanded more on some of her personal stories and emotions. It almost came off as dry for me, though I felt like she was trying to go against the stereotype that feminists are emotional/irrational. I really liked listening to the #audiobook. Her speaking voice is melodic. Listened on #Scribd

#Goodreads 😏 Fancy shoes can't be mandatory, like any Ford Toronto rollback attempts, that aren't quite legally issued. 🍁 Blocky platform heels (more realistically for bookends) are my comical favourites. 🤓👡 There's no way I'd risk trying for stilettos.